not reliable enough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not reliable enough" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that something does not meet a certain standard of reliability or trustworthiness. Example: "The data we collected from the survey is not reliable enough to draw any significant conclusions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

However, considering just one factor is not reliable enough to assess the reliability degrees, since the confusion, disparity, and imperfection of information provided by the sources of evidence are due to different types of conflict.

Information Sciences

The alternative, the industry argues, is not reliable enough.

The New York Times

We discontinued that test in March because the data was not reliable enough for publication.

The Guardian - Tech

He said it has always been rejected, in part because it is not reliable enough.

The New York Times

Since then, he said, "ready for policemen" has become the gold standard for gun consumers, with some gun owners arguing, "If they're not reliable enough for policemen, they're not reliable enough for me".

The Guardian

As even pollsters admitted, this was unjustifiable, since polls are simply not reliable enough to support that decision.

The New Yorker

Pentagon tests also suggested last fall that the new Air Force model was not reliable enough to provide sustained surveillance.

The New York Times

A trial judge had ordered Mr. Latif released, saying the report was not reliable enough to justify holding him for the rest of his life.

The New York Times

He is not reliable enough to be a star, but he will make your team better in a multitude of ways.

The New York Times

A trial judge had ordered the prisoner released, saying the report was not reliable enough to justify holding him for the rest of his life.

The New York Times

However, the technologies we looked at were not reliable enough in the wide range of environmental circumstances that a vehicle is subject to in its lifetime.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "not reliable enough", clearly specify the context or standard against which reliability is being measured. This provides clarity and strengthens the argument.

Common error

Avoid using "not reliable enough" without providing specific reasons or evidence for the lack of reliability. Back up your claim with concrete examples or data to enhance credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not reliable enough" primarily functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating that the subject in question lacks the necessary level of reliability for a given purpose. As evidenced by Ludwig, this phrase is commonly used to express a deficiency in dependability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

47%

News & Media

39%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not reliable enough" is a versatile and commonly used expression to denote a lack of sufficient dependability. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and frequently found in diverse contexts, especially in scientific and news-related domains. While generally neutral in tone, it requires contextual grounding for clarity. Remember to provide specific reasons for unreliability to enhance the persuasiveness of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not trustworthy enough

Synonym substitution replacing "reliable" with "trustworthy".

too unreliable

Direct synonym substitution using "unreliable" with an intensifier.

insufficiently dependable

Formal alternative using a negative prefix and a synonym for "reliable".

lacking sufficient reliability

Formal rephrasing focusing on the absence of adequate reliability.

not dependable to a sufficient degree

More verbose rephrasing emphasizing the lack of sufficient dependability.

inadequate level of reliability

Formal expression focusing on the insufficient level of reliability.

falls short of being dependable

Idiomatic expression conveying the failure to meet dependability standards.

unfit for purpose

Broader term indicating the unsuitability for a specific task due to lack of reliability.

can't be counted on

Informal phrase expressing a lack of dependability in a personal context.

unpredictable nature

Focuses on the erratic behavior that leads to a lack of reliability.

FAQs

What does "not reliable enough" mean?

The phrase "not reliable enough" indicates that something or someone does not meet the required standard of dependability or trustworthiness for a particular purpose or situation.

What can I say instead of "not reliable enough"?

You can use alternatives like "insufficiently dependable", "too unreliable", or "not trustworthy enough" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "not reliable enough"?

Use "not reliable enough" when you want to express that something or someone falls short of the necessary level of dependability for a given task, purpose, or situation. Make sure to provide context for why something is "not reliable enough".

What are some common things that might be described as "not reliable enough"?

Data, sources of information, equipment, and even people can be described as "not reliable enough" if their dependability is questionable or insufficient for a specific purpose.